Protect your floors from winter salt by creating barriers between shoes and flooring. Contact Area Flooring & Tile, Inc. for durable floor options!
How Does Salt Impact Floors
When you bring in road salt on your shoes or boots, it can impact your floors in a few ways:
- Road salt can contain corrosive chemicals: These chemicals can eat through thick layers of salt. They can also corrode and cause damage to luxury vinyl floors, carpet, hardwood, engineered hardwood and tile.
- Salt creates friction: Salt can make scratches and gouges on floors. Some winter salt contains gravel for added traction outdoors. Indoors, these small sharp rocks can cause deep scratches.
- Road salt has a high pH: High pH products are used to strip floors for refinishing, so road salt can damage your flooring's finish.
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What Floors Are Most Durable
No matter what flooring you have, you will need to take protective steps. Any floor can be impacted by road salt, but porcelain tile is the most durable option to withstand the winter elements. Hardwood and engineered hardwood are also good options because you can refinish them.
Another durable tile for many rooms is luxury vinyl. Since it is 100% waterproof, it can protect you from water and salt damage. Our quality luxury vinyl options have wear layers between 12-30 mils, and also contain additives like aluminum oxide and ceramic bead which provide additional scratch resistance.
How to Protect Your Floors From Salt Exposure
Over time, exposure to salt from your shoes or boots can cause stains and damage to your floors. Fortunately, there are several ways to protect your floors against salt:
- Mats: Containment mats for your home gather ice, slush and salt onto the rubber layer of the mat. Leave your shoes on the mats as you come in to avoid tracking ice and salt into your home.
- High-quality finishes: Our quality flooring with durable finishes will best prevent salt from penetrating and make it easier to simply brush the salt away to keep the floor clean.
- Rugs: For high-traffic areas, consider adding decorative rugs. This way, if bits of salt fall from your clothing, the fabric can catch them.
- Enhanced cleaning: Protect hardwood floors by vacuuming and sweeping regularly. Immediately spot-treat any salt stains you notice.
Contact the Experts at Area Flooring & Tile, Inc.
If you have salt damage from past years or need beautiful new floors, contact Area Flooring & Tile, Inc. today or browse our online gallery to get inspired!
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